As the chief executive of Ucas, Dame Clare Marchant became known for her commitment to addressing social mobility and vocational priorities. Now she is applying the same energy to her new role as vice-chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, “delivering high-quality learning opportunities, creating great careers and connections that last a lifetime”.

On the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the institution began as Cheltenham Training College, a teacher training institution, more than 175 years ago. The spa town of Cheltenham provides a honey-toned backdrop to student life and Gloucestershire hosts more than 45 music, arts and science festivals each year. Thirsty undergraduates are well catered for as the county claims to have more than 500 bars, clubs and pubs. 

What is the University of Gloucestershire’s reputation? 

Reflecting the county’s long history in training teachers, Gloucestershire is one of only four universities in the southwest to receive full accreditation from the Department for Education to continue this professional route at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Its primary and secondary teacher-training courses are rated “good” by Ofsted.

The university offers diplomas in environmentalism, sustainability research and development projects that bring together researchers from around the world, undertaking work for agencies such as Unesco. Its Countryside and Community Research Institute on the Oxstalls campus is the largest rural research centre in the UK and produced some of Gloucestershire’s best results in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Art and design also performed well and Gloucestershire doubled the number of subject areas assessed, compared with the previous REF in 2014. Overall, 47 per cent of the university’s submission was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Even so, the university slid three places to joint 111th in our research rankings due to improved performances across the sector.

Gloucestershire earned triple silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023). Assessors commended its “supportive learning environment and access to a range of very high quality academic support” as well as its effective use of “physical and virtual learning resources to support very high quality teaching and learning”. Students were found to engage in their learning, supported by effective practices that “stretch students to develop their knowledge and skills”.

Rates of student satisfaction, which tumbled in our previous National Student Survey analysis — falling 50 places to 103 for teaching quality and down 44 places to 106 for satisfaction with the wider undergraduate experience — have been mixed this year. Gloucester has gained ground for teaching quality, where it ranks 90=, but lost ground for wider experience, falling to 115th.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

The university’s portfolio of degree and master’s-level apprenticeships encompasses 20 subject areas; about 1,100 students were enrolled at the last count. Three of these programmes are recent additions designed to fill skills gaps: healthcare science practitioner (ophthalmic imaging); healthcare science practitioner (vascular science); and facilities manager.

What are the University of Gloucestershire’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

For undergraduate degrees, offers range from 96 to 128 Ucas tariff points. For courses with an integrated foundation year Gloucestershire accepts 48 Ucas points for entry. The university does not have a contextual offer scheme; rather, it tailors offers to applicants based on interview performance or the strength of their application. For mature students professional experience is taken into account and lower than standard offers may be made. Clearing accounted for almost a fifth (17 per cent) of admissions.

What are the graduate prospects?

A team named Your Future Plan operates at all of the university’s campuses, offering careers and employability services such as a mentoring programme, placement opportunities and keynote speakers. Its services are available post-graduation too. A proportion of 76.4 per cent of graduates in high-skilled jobs or further study 15 months on from their degrees, a rise of 3.7 per cent compared to last year, has risen Gloucestershire to 57= in our table.

What is the University of Gloucestershire’s campus like?

The main Park campus, a mile from the centre of Cheltenham, is being revamped to include refreshed facilities for creative and digital programmes. Investment at the campus is adding a cyber control centre, a virtual reality facility and a digital lounge, along with enhanced teaching and learning spaces. Art and design facilities are closer to the town centre, at Francis Close Hall. Nearby Hardwick has photography and fine art studios as well as its own gallery. Upgrades at the Cheltenham sites have added a biomedical laboratory as well as an architecture studio and community teaching space. Innovation test beds have boosted provision for advanced and emerging technologies such as AI, big data analytics, blockchain, and cyber physical systems.

The purpose-built Oxstalls campus caters for business, healthcare, sport and exercise sciences.

A new campus in Gloucester opens in 2025. Located in the former Debenhams building, the campus will become the home of the new Institute of Education, along with the university’s social work and psychology programmes. 

Everything you need to know about the University of Gloucestershire’s student life and wellbeing support

A strong sporting tradition is supported by extensive facilities at Oxstalls Sports Park and in Cheltenham. Students have the run of an indoor and outdoor tennis centre, a cold water therapy pool, playing fields, international-standard 3G pitches for rugby and football, fitness suites, a sports hall and cricket pavilion.

Art and design students represent the largest cohort at Gloucestershire, and the university has a thriving creative scene. Students and staff work with the region’s festivals, which encompass jazz, literature, poetry and art.

“Your Way” is Gloucestershire’s take on boosting student welfare with a combination of physical activity, educational workshops, mindfulness and wellbeing sessions. Every campus has a “helpzone” with advisers who offer support online and by phone across wide-ranging issues. One-to-one counselling and a chaplaincy are also available. There is an online reporting function in cases of violence, hate or harassment. 

What do the students say? 

"Employability is at its heart — from gaining experience of connecting with local businesses on live projects, to cross course collaboration, I was able to learn so much during my studies. We have a wonderfully diverse and talented student community with many extracurricular opportunities, from volunteering to tend the university gardens to competing in sport for TeamGlos."
Paige Archer, Gloucestershire students’ union activities and opportunities officer 2022-24, and a business and marketing management student

What about student accommodation at the University of Gloucestershire?

Gloucester guarantees accommodation to all first-years in halls on or near campus.  

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Gloucestershire?

In 61st place in our social inclusion index — down 22 places year on year — Gloucestershire is eighth in England and Wales for its proportion of white working-class boys, the most underrepresented group at university. 

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Gloucestershire

Awards include a £1,000 cash payment in the first year only, to students progressing from partner schools. More than 20 sports scholarships are awarded each year, not only to student athletes but also to talented student coaches and officials.